Maine to Florida 1st time in our 5th Wheel

Everyboysmomma wrote:
Hi Folks
We have been 5th wheel owners for 9 years and just got a new rig in August.
We are in the process of retiring, and this will be the biggest trip so far. We are leaving Portland ME on January 28 with reservations in Orlando FL on Feb 1, so we realize that it will not be a leisurely trip, but it shouldn't be an all nighter either. We HAVE TO avoid tunnels and PREFER to avoid NYC and DC. We will be stopping every 200 miles to fuel up. Best route? Recommendations on places to spend the night on the way down? We would like to spend 5-6 hours on the road each day, which should give us plenty of time (4 driving days). We don't mind I-95, except for NYC and DC. Suggestions? Thanks.

I would come down I_95 to I-495 to I-90 to I-84....to the NY/Pa line in Pa at Matamoras exit 53 can stop at Tri-State campground a cpl minutes off I-84..open all year..this will be a days drive for you 350 mi
then take rt 209..you on on it at the exit toward Milford,NJ thru the Nat'l park for 22 miles to Stroudsburg ,Pa..get on I-80 for about 3 or 4 exits to Rt 33 south to rt 22 in Allentown,Pa to I-78 to I-81...then down I-81 to I-66 south to Va Rt 17 toward Warrenton,Va stay on 17 to I-95 above Richmond,Va...down 95 to Ashland,Va to Americamps campground at exit 89...
then 95 straight thru Richmond as traffic is heavy for about 15 minutes to South of the Border....or to Florence campground in Florence,SC..then down 95 to I-4 to Orlando
This gets you off the hills to 95 as quick as you can get without going thru NY...Chuck

I-81 south of Wilkes Barre WAS a nightmare of rough roadway and construction. I would do 88 to 81 or down I87 to I287 to 80 or 78 to pick up I81 in Harrisburg.

Watch the weather. Weather conditions will be more critical than traffic conditions. I-81 will avoid the big cities but it will increase the chances for encountering winter weather. Be prepared to wait it out if necessary

Overnights at Holly Casino at Charlestown, WV are also permitted. None of the rest areas seem to permit overnight stays along the I-95 corridor.

Be sure to keep your trailer winterized unless you have fully heated systems. In our class C we usually use water or windshield antifreeze for toilet flushing to protect the tank. For other water uses, we use bottled water.

It may be very warm in Florida but remember what you are escaping from as you travel south. During our trip to Arizona last winter, we encountered 20 degree weather in Mobile, AL.

jergeod wrote:
Take 90 out of Mass into NY pick up 88 to 81 to Winchester Va take 66 to 17 to 95 this will get you around the mess and all good road, time wise I doubt there is that much difference. Also put RVparky app in your phone it will give you all FJ/pilot, walmart's, cracker barrel's, all campgrounds so you can travel as long as you want and never be without a place to stay or have to look for fuel stops. Used it on a Fla trip and also and out west trip and it was great never had to make reservations.

Consider I-84 west to I-81 south at Scranton PA. It may be a little shorter.
That's the route we take when going to Maine from Pennsylvania.

You can overnight at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes Barre PA. It's just off I-81.
You can also overnight at the Hollywood Casino, exit 80, I-81, north of Harrisburg PA. It's not as nice as Mohegan Sun.
Enjoy your trip.

Take 90 out of Mass into NY pick up 88 to 81 to Winchester Va take 66 to 17 to 95 this will get you around the mess and all good road, time wise I doubt there is that much difference. Also put RVparky app in your phone it will give you all FJ/pilot, walmart's, cracker barrel's, all campgrounds so you can travel as long as you want and never be without a place to stay or have to look for fuel stops. Used it on a Fla trip and also and out west trip and it was great never had to make reservations.

I'm sure I'll get flack here, but we don't shut off the propane while fueling or going through tunnels and I doubt the majority do. I could be wrong though. I just see it as a small risk compared to all the other things that could happen on the freeway. I guess if you're concerned, you could just travel with an empty fridge and use a cooler for your groceries until you get there.

is it friday yet? wrote:
This may restrict you to I75. We've taken I95 a couple times and I remember a few tunnels. Why do you have to avoid tunnels if I may ask?

because we are carrying propane?

This may restrict you to I75. We've taken I95 a couple times and I remember a few tunnels. Why do you have to avoid tunnels if I may ask?